Man bailed GH¢500,000 for allegedly defrauding businessman

A 32-year-old unemployed man has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly posing as a bank official and defrauding a businessman of GH¢1,860,000.

Alexander Adusei Gyan is alleged to have collected the money after promising to help the complainant secure a GH¢3 million loan facility.

He has been charged with defrauding by false pretences.

Gyan pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecution, the complainant is a businessman who lives at Ofankor in the Ga North Municipality.

Gyan, who lives at Ablekuma in Accra, allegedly introduced himself to the complainant in October 2024 as an employee of a reputable bank.

The prosecution said he claimed he could help the complainant obtain a GH¢3 million loan if the complainant made regular contributions ranging between GH¢2,000 and GH¢10,000 over a one-year period.

Relying on that representation, the complainant allegedly made several payments to Gyan through a mobile money account registered in Gyan’s name.

The payments amounted to GH¢1,860,000.

The prosecution said Gyan acknowledged receipt of the payments each time.

He later allegedly instructed the complainant to open an account at the bank’s Achimota branch.

However, after receiving the money, Gyan allegedly cut communication with the complainant and went into hiding.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to his arrest.

In his caution statement, Gyan allegedly admitted the offence and mentioned one Desmond Osei as an accomplice.

Police said he, however, failed to lead investigators to the alleged accomplice.

The court initially granted Gyan bail in the sum of GH¢2 million with three sureties.

One surety was to be justified with landed property, while two were to be public servants earning GH¢5,000 monthly.

After Gyan was unable to meet the bail conditions, his counsel applied for a review.

The court reduced the bail to GH¢500,000 with two sureties.

One surety is to be justified with property, while the other must be a public servant earning GH¢4,000 monthly.

The sureties were also ordered to deposit copies of their Ghana Cards at the court registry.